Hannah Mikah PangilinanIf you’re into Japanese idol groups, Aidoru Sozai is one of the local idol groups based in the Philippines you need to follow. The girls have already built a name for themselves as they’re quite known for singing their favorite Japanese idol songs.
During the Anime and Cosplay Expo or ACX 2018, our team was given a chance to meet and interview the idols — Aidoru Sozai.
Background On Aidoru Sozai
Aidoru Sozai is a self-produced idol group based in the Philippines. The group is comprised of Jash, Aira, Vivi, Yanachii, Mikachu, Hayayan and Saachan.
They are heavily influenced by Japanese pop culture and cover songs from a wide variety of Japanese idol groups. As aspiring idols, the girls also look forward to performing their own original self-made tracks. The members all come together to work towards a common goal spreading love, positive energy and the beauty of idol culture through their shining performances.
What Do Each Members Love About Japanese Culture?
Vivi: What I love most about Japanese culture is their pop culture – especially the fashion and the music.
Do you have particular music in mind?
Vivi: Yeah, I like Nogizaka46 and underground idols.
Saachan: The thing I love most about Japanese culture is [like Vivi] the music, particularly the idol genre because I’m a really big idol geek. I follow groups, especially idol groups. I’ve been listening [to idol music] since I was 11 or 12. Also, I like the fashion and the makeup – their overall aesthetic.
Yanachii: Hello. What I love most about Japanese culture is their music of course. I like their uniqueness and fashion as well. For music, I like The Hoopers and underground idols too.
Mikachu: The thing I love most about Japanese culture (besides the idols) is its pop culture in general. I actually started out being a big fan of anime and manga first. What I love most about Japanese culture is the way they express their creativity. My favorite idol groups are BNK48 and Watanabe Mayu – before she graduated.
Aira: What I love most about Japanese culture is J-pop andJ-dramas [as] I’ve been watching them since I was 8. I also like the theme songs of J-dramas, and that’s where I started to discover Japanese idols as well.
Jash: The thing I love most about Japan are the idols – especially because I grew up listening to Hello Project. Of course, [I also like] the fashion and food.
What Made Them Form A Group Inspired By Japanese Pop Culture?
One of the girls mentioned that finding each other was “a networking thing”, seeing as that none of them knew each other at first. Each member agreed with how they wanted to form a group with people we were equally as serious them. They wanted to look for people whose goal was to make a career out of the group and not just merely a hobby.
Primarily, the group’s passion lead to to wanting to form the group in the first place.
However, despite agreeing about mutual love, each of them said they had different characteristics that complete the group.
Have Any Of Them Been To Japan?
Collectively, everyone was shocked to realize that none of them have actually been to Japan! Aira was quick to mention that one of their members is actually in Japan right now. They further expounded on how their band mate is actually of full Japanese descendant living in Baguio.
When asked if they had any plans on going to Japan in the future, everyone mutually agreed with doing so.
In fact, a member said they wanted to perform for Japanese people. She further mentioned that they’d love to perform for people of which the culture and their group’s concept were derived from.
Aside from performing, as idol fans, they would love to watch their favorite idols because they serve as the group’s inspiration.
Thoughts About The Cosplay/Anime Community In The Philippines
The group stated that J-pop is actually not that relatively known in the Philippine community, especially the idols. They further expounded on the fact that the Filipinos are only aware of ani-songs. Even before the Japanese pop culture boom, a lot of people were already into anime and cosplay, but not necessarily Japanese idols per se.
However, they are grateful for the community serving as a platform to introducing “real idol”. The community is also an easy way to express the idol concept to the audience.
What Makes Events Like ACX Important To Pop Culture Lovers?
The girls mentioned that it gives them the opportunity to introduce idol culture to those already knowledgeable to Japanese culture. The group wanted to show a different side of Japanese culture that’s not restricted to just mainstream ones to fans.
Aidoru Sozai’s Upcoming Shows & Events
When asked about any upcoming shows, the group simultaneously yelled “our debut”. We felt the excitement when they mentioned their participation in the Manila Idol Matsuri. The upcoming event hails to be the first ever idol festival. The group also mentioned that they would be debuting their original songs at the event. The Manila Idol Matsuri would take place on September 2 at the TIU Theater.
“We have a lot of new things prepared so we’re really excited since we’ve been preparing really hard for this”. The girls also hinted about having more events planned that they would be announcing soon!
Be sure to catch the adorable girls from Aidoru Sozai at the Manila Idol Matsuri this September 2nd!
